It’s The Preseason: Pro Football Focus grades Patriots’ Chase Winovich second-best edge defender in Week 2 of preseason
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Pro Football Focus has confirmed what Patriots fans saw with their own two eyes on Saturday: Chase Winovich looks pretty damn good.
The rookie defensive end received an elite 93.6 grade for his performance against the Titans last Saturday, a game the Patriots won 22-17. Winovich racked up a sack, two quarterback hits, five total tackles, and two tackles for loss in a dominating effort against the Tennessee backups.
Some of those O-linemen were likely fighting for roster spots of their own. Winovich was unblockable against them.
Rookie receiver Jakobi Meyers also made PFF’s NFL team of the week after he caught six passes for 82 yards. His emergence is starting to get noticed outside of just New England. He’s a virtual lock to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster at this point.
Chase Winovich of the New England Patriots looks to the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on August 8, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 31-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Of course, It’s The Preseason™ and just because Winovich and Meyers dominated against second and third-string players doesn’t mean they’ll replicate that against starting-caliber opponents. Winovich, in particular, is likely still down the depth chart with John Simon, Derek Rivers, and newcomer Shilique Calhoun getting a healthy share of snaps on the edge.
But it’s certainly a great development for the Patriots that they look to have found a legitimately disruptive pass-rusher in the third round of the 2019 draft. And at the same time, a wide receiver group wracked with uncertainty has found a near-certainty in the most unlikely of places with Meyers, an undrafted rookie out of N.C. State.
Things are looking up for the Patriots’ younger talent after the recent performance of Winovich and the other rookies.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
